US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Save Our Seas 2.0 Act

116th Congress · Approved Dec 18, 2020 · 134 Stat. 1072

An Act

To improve efforts to combat marine debris, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa­tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short Title; Table of Contents.

(a)
Short Title.— This Act may be cited as the “Save Our Seas 2.0 Act”.
(b)
Table of Contents.— The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Definitions.

TITLE I— COMBATING MARINE DEBRIS

Subtitle A— Amendments to the Marine Debris Act

Sec. 101. Amendments to the Marine Debris Act.

Subtitle B— Marine Debris Foundation

Sec. 111. Establishment and purposes of Foundation.

Sec. 112. Board of Directors of the Foundation.

Sec. 113. Rights and obligations of the Foundation.

Sec. 114. Administrative services and support.

Sec. 115. Volunteer status.

Sec. 116. Report requirements; petition of attorney general for equitable relief.

Sec. 117. United States release from liability.

Sec. 118. Authorization of appropriations.

Sec. 119. Termination of authority.

Subtitle C— Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations

Sec. 121. Definitions.

Sec. 122. Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations.

Sec. 123. Agreement with the Marine Debris Foundation.

Sec. 124. Judges.

Sec. 125. Report to Congress.

Sec. 126. Authorization of appropriations.

Sec. 127. Termination of authority.

Subtitle D— Studies, Pilot Projects, and Reports

Sec. 131. Report on opportunities for innovative uses of plastic waste.

Sec. 132. Report on microfiber pollution.

Sec. 133. Study on United States plastic pollution data.

Sec. 134. Study on mass balance methodologies to certify circular polymers.

Sec. 135. Report on sources and impacts of derelict fishing gear.

Sec. 136. Expansion of derelict vessel recycling.

Sec. 137. Incentive for fishermen to collect and dispose of plastic found at sea.

TITLE II— ENHANCED GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT TO COMBAT MARINE DEBRIS

Sec. 201. Statement of policy on international cooperation to combat marine debris.

Sec. 202. Prioritization of efforts and assistance to combat marine debris and improve plastic waste management.

Sec. 203. United States leadership in international fora.

Sec. 204. Enhancing international outreach and partnership of United States agencies involved in marine debris activities.

Sec. 205. Negotiation of new international agreements.

Sec. 206. Consideration of marine debris in negotiating international agreements.

TITLE III— IMPROVING DOMESTIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO PREVENT MARINE DEBRIS

Sec. 301. Strategy for improving post-consumer materials management and water management.

Sec. 302. Grant programs.

Sec. 303. Study on repurposing plastic waste in infrastructure.

Sec. 304. Study on effects of microplastics in food supplies and sources of drinking water.

Sec. 305. Report on eliminating barriers to increase the collection of recyclable materials.

Sec. 306. Report on economic incentives to spur development of new end-use markets for recycled plastics.

Sec. 307. Report on minimizing the creation of new plastic waste.

SEC. 2. Definitions.

In this Act:
(1)
Circular economy.— The term “circular economy” means an economy that uses a systems-focused approach and involves industrial processes and economic activities that—
(A)
are restorative or regenerative by design;
(B)
enable resources used in such processes and activities to maintain their highest values for as long as possible; and
(C)
aim for the elimination of waste through the superior design of materials, products, and systems (including business models).
(2)
EPA administrator.— The term “EPA Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(3)
Indian tribe.— The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given the term “Indian tribe” in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304), without regard to capitalization.
(4)
Interagency marine debris coordinating committee.— The term “Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee” means the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee established under section 5 of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1954).
(5)
Marine debris.— The term “marine debris” has the meaning given that term in section 7 of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1956).
(6)
Marine debris event.— The term “marine debris event” means an event or related events that affects or may imminently affect the United States involving—
(A)
marine debris caused by a natural event, including a tsunami, flood, landslide, hurricane, or other natural source;
(B)
distinct, nonrecurring marine debris, including derelict vessel groundings and container spills, that have immediate or long-term impacts on habitats with high ecological, economic, or human-use values; or
(C)
marine debris caused by an intentional or grossly negligent act or acts that causes substantial economic or environmental harm.
(7)
Non-federal funds.— The term “non-Federal funds” means funds provided by—
(A)
a State;
(B)
an Indian Tribe;
(C)
a territory of the United States;
(D)
one or more units of local governments or Tribal organizations (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
(E)
a foreign government;
(F)
a private for-profit entity;
(G)
a nonprofit organization; or
(H)
a private individual.
(8)
Nonprofit organization.— The term “nonprofit organization” means an organization that is described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
(9)
Post-consumer materials management.— The term “post-consumer materials management” means the systems, operation, supervision, and long-term management of processes and equipment used for post-use material (including packaging, goods, products, and other materials), including—
(A)
collection;
(B)
transport;
(C)
safe disposal of waste that cannot be recovered, reused, recycled, repaired, or refurbished; and
(D)
systems and processes related to post-use materials that can be recovered, reused, recycled, repaired, or refurbished.
(10)
State.— The term “State” means—
(A)
a State;
(B)
an Indian Tribe;
(C)
the District of Columbia;
(D)
a territory or possession of the United States; or
(E)
any political subdivision of an entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
(11)
Under secretary.— The term “Under Secretary” means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.